Event helps homeless veterans learn about available resources

Homeless veterans in East Tennessee are learning more about the resources available to help them. The 12th annual Knoxville Homeless Veterans Stand Down kicked off on Friday at the National Guard Armory.

Dozens of organization representing a variety of services were on hand to talk to veterans and help them find out about the benefits and resources available to them. Those services include veterans' affairs, legal aid, housing, job assistance, education and health care.

The theme of the event was "To give a hand up, not a hand out."

"The goal for this event is to help homeless veterans find the obstacles that are causing their homelessness and find ways to get around them and help them find the resources they need to help them in their homelessness," said Christie Cook, co-chair of the Knoxville Homeless Veterans Stand Down.

The event continues on Saturday with medical services from Remote Area Medical.